Free Excel Download Guide

Want Excel but don't want to pay full price? Here are all your options for getting Microsoft Excel free or cheap.

Free Excel Options

Option 1: Excel Online (Completely Free)

What is it? Free web-based version of Excel that works in your browser.

How to access:

1. Go to office.com or excel.com
2. Sign in with free Microsoft account (or create one)
3. Click Excel to start using immediately

What you get:

• Core Excel functionality
• Basic formulas and functions
• Charts and tables
• Collaboration features
• Auto-save to OneDrive (5GB free)

Limitations:

• No offline access
• Missing advanced features (VBA, Power Query)
• Fewer chart types
• Limited formatting options
• No Excel add-ins

Best for: Basic spreadsheets, collaboration, students

Option 2: Excel Mobile Apps (Free)

Available for:

• iOS (iPhone/iPad)
• Android phones/tablets

How to get:

1. Download from App Store or Google Play
2. Sign in with Microsoft account
3. Start creating spreadsheets

Free features:

• View and edit files
• Basic formulas
• Simple charts
• OneDrive integration

Premium features (require subscription):

• PivotTables
• Custom chart formatting
• Insert shapes
• Advanced formatting

Best for: Viewing and quick edits on the go

Option 3: Microsoft 365 Free Trial

Get 30 days free:

1. Go to microsoft.com/microsoft-365
2. Click Try for free
3. Enter payment info (won't charge during trial)
4. Download full Excel desktop app

What you get:

• Full Excel desktop version
• Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
• 1TB OneDrive storage
• Premium features

Remember to cancel before 30 days if you don't want to pay!

Best for: Short-term projects, testing full features

Option 4: Student & Educator Discounts

Free for eligible students/teachers:

Microsoft 365 Education:

1. Go to microsoft.com/education
2. Enter school email address
3. Verify eligibility
4. Get free access

What you get:

• Free Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• 1TB OneDrive storage
• Teams for collaboration

Who qualifies:

• K-12 students
• College students
• Teachers and faculty
• School staff

Best for: Students and educators with .edu email

Option 5: Work or Employer Provided

Many companies provide Microsoft 365 to employees.

Check with your employer:

• IT department
• Employee benefits portal
• HR resources

May include:

• Full Microsoft 365 suite
• Excel desktop app
• Personal use rights

Paid Options (Best Value)

If you need full Excel, here are the best deals:

Microsoft 365 Personal - $70/year

Includes:

• Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
• 1TB OneDrive storage
• Premium features
• Updates included
• Desktop + Web + Mobile

Best for: Individual users who want full features

Microsoft 365 Family - $100/year

Includes:

• Everything in Personal
• Share with up to 6 people
• Each gets 1TB OneDrive
• Best value for families

Cost per person: ~$17/year (if shared)

Best for: Families or friend groups

Excel 2021 (One-Time Purchase) - $160

What you get:

• Excel desktop app (one-time purchase)
• No subscription needed
• No OneDrive storage
• No updates (frozen version)

What you DON'T get:

• Cloud features
• Ongoing updates
• Other Office apps
• OneDrive storage

Best for: Those who hate subscriptions

Free Alternatives to Excel

Don't need Excel specifically? Try these:

Download Instructions

For Windows:

1. Go to: office.com
2. Sign in with Microsoft account
3. Click Install Office
4. Download installer
5. Run the file
6. Follow setup wizard
7. Sign in to activate

For Mac:

1. Go to: office.com
2. Sign in with Microsoft account
3. Click Install Office
4. Download .pkg file
5. Open installer
6. Follow instructions
7. Launch Excel from Applications

For Mobile:

iOS:

1. Open App Store
2. Search Microsoft Excel
3. Tap Get
4. Install and open
5. Sign in with Microsoft account

Android:

1. Open Google Play Store
2. Search Microsoft Excel
3. Tap Install
4. Open and sign in

How to Save Money

Tips to get Excel cheaper:

1. Family plan: Share with 5 friends ($20/year each)
2. Annual billing: Cheaper than monthly
3. Student discount: Free with .edu email
4. Black Friday: Microsoft 365 often discounted
5. Cashback sites: Rakuten, Honey for deals
6. Gift cards: Buy discounted Microsoft gift cards

System Requirements

Windows:

• Windows 10 or 11
• 4GB RAM minimum
• 4GB disk space
• 1280 x 768 screen

Mac:

• macOS (last 3 versions)
• 4GB RAM
• 10GB disk space

Web (Excel Online):

• Any modern browser
• Internet connection

Which Option Should You Choose?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Excel Online really free? Yes, completely free with a Microsoft account.

Can I use Excel without internet? Only with desktop version (paid). Web version needs internet.

Do I need a subscription? No, but it's the best value. One-time purchase available.

Can I share with family? Yes, Microsoft 365 Family allows up to 6 people.

Is the free version good enough? For basic use, yes. For advanced features, upgrade needed.

Summary

Free options:

1. ✅ Excel Online - Free, web-based
2. ✅ Mobile apps - Free for basic features
3. ✅ Student discount - Free for .edu emails
4. ✅ Free trial - 30 days full access

Paid (best value):

• Microsoft 365 Family: $100/year for 6 people
• Microsoft 365 Personal: $70/year for 1 person

Alternatives:

• Google Sheets (free, excellent)
• LibreOffice Calc (free, open source)

Start with free options and upgrade only if you need advanced features! 💰